Diamond Wedding Anniversary Celebrations

Diamond wedding anniversary celebrated by Sam and Mary Vecchio

LONG term Innisfail residents, Sam and Mary Vecchio (nee Melita) recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary quietly with their daughter and her family but plan to have a proper celebration with family when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Sam, who is the eldest of five siblings was born in the town of Linguaglossa in the province of Catania, Sicily to parents Filippo Vecchio and Alfia Pagano. He went to school in Linguaglossa.

Life was hard in Sicily for Sam as he worked with his family on the land. He wanted to make a better life for himself, so at the age of 21 he came out to Australia to cut cane in Innisfail.

Mary was born in the town of Mascali in the province of Catania, Sicily to parents Leonardo and Rosa Melita and had two sisters.

After the tragic loss of her mother at a very young age and her father a soldier in the war, Mary, at the age of eight was adopted by Carmelo and Orazia Pettinato, her aunt and uncle in Australia and arrived in Innisfail in late 1949.

Mary completed third grade in Sicily and after arriving in Innisfail attended Sacred Heart Convent School (now Good Counsel Primary). She finished school in grade 8 and went to dressmaking class where she learned to sew. While Mary didn't go out to work, she used her sewing skills and worked at home for others.

Even though Mary was living in Australia, she kept in touch with her sisters and father in Sicily. It wasn't until 31 years later when Mary returned to Sicily to visit her family where she was reunited with her elderly father.

Sam and Mary met at the Sugar Festival at Innisfail Showgrounds in October 1959.

Mary said it was custom back then to have my parents with me and I hardly went anywhere without them. I saw Sam with a group of friends and they were talking and laughing so we joined in.

Sam had cousins we knew so they came and asked my parents and Mary for Sam's permission to court me. "I said yes, although my parents were apprehensive as they didn't want me to marry a cane cutter but agreed if that was my

wish."

"When Sam came to our house, he was told by Mum I would not be allowed to go out alone with him and he didn't object. As my parents got to know Sam, they grew to love him, and after they were informed as to his family all was good."

The pair married on April 24, 1960 which was attended by 400 guests and the reception took place at Paronella Park which was a popular wedding venue at the time.

After they were married, Mary's parents helped them to buy a shop which was named Sam Vecchio's Sports Store where Mary worked alongside her husband for 32 years while juggling motherhood and bringing up their three children.

Sam has always enjoyed fishing and been actively involved as a volunteer with the Feast of the Three Saints for 25 years and Innisfail Italian Community for about 20 years.

The couple were blessed with three children and three grand-children.

Mary has a passion for plants, tending a garden and also has a keen interest in world affairs and loves animals. Along with Sam, she has also been an active volunteer for over 20 years with the Feast of The Three Saints and Innisfail Italian Community.

The couple have had many highlights in their long marriage including bringing up their three children and celebrating their achievements, as well as special family events.

"We feel extremely blessed to reach our 50th anniversary and now our 60th with relatively good health. It was an amazing experience when we travelled to Italy for the first time after 31 years and to USA where we got to meet our cousins."

Mary's philosophy in life is to respect others and do no harm, to cultivate friendships, "I'm so grateful we have many friends, and as for a long-lasting marriage you need plenty of give and take, be kind to each other but most importantly love each other."

Sam said the key to successful and harmonious marriage is "to give in (especially to your wife's demands) and take," while his life philosophy is to " be respectful and don't harm others."

MARIA GIRGENTI